The Red Rose Inn

[Arafangwen]

After thier meeting in the hall, Celahir stayed outside Firondoiel's door incase she needed anything while Arafangwen and Erestor decided to go and eat the noontime meal that both of thier stomachs seemed to by dying for.

After finding the hobbit lass Lila and getting the desired meal from her, the two elves took thier food outside and into the rose gardens of which they had become well aquainted to in thier stay's time. Erestor led Arafangwen into a secluded branch of the path and politely seated her before himself underneath a large willow tree which was covered by a soft climbing ivy. Serving themselves graciously, the two ate to thier hearts content in the sweet silence of all but the surrounding nature.

"Ara?" Erestor said finally breaking the quiet.

"Yes Erestor?" She replied softly with a smile in his direction.

"Do you remember the day we first met?" He asked her quietly. Arafangwen's eyes sparkled as she drew back to the moment he asked about.

"Of course I do, it's as clear as the waters of Nimrodel." She replied, her eyes meeting Erestors lovingly. "My brothers were home for the second time that month in thier first year on patrol and they brought you along with them to meet our parents. They didn't realize that I was going to fall in love with you or I doubt they would've done it honestly." She finished with mirth ringing clearly in her voice. Erestor smiled at the rememberance of thier reaction to the pairs instant attraction to each other.

"Yes, I'm sure you're right." He replied with laughter echoing in his voice as well as he turned his head and looked deep into Arafangwen's milky gaze just as she started to sing the lullaby the elves of thier company in particular were so fond of. Erestor's listened to the soothing voice of his beloved as his eyes closed and his mind drifted back to the first day he had heard the song.



Erestor walked his steed next to those of his new friends Celahir and Taurnil as they headed towards the house of the two brothers in a lighter part of Mirkwood. All of the sudden his ears picked up a melodious tune whistling through the woods.

'Do you hear that?' He asked Taurnil as he was the closer of the two. Taurnil turned his head towards him and smiled.

'Yes, beautiful is it not?' He said as he closed his eyes to enjoy the sound. Erestor nodded his head in aggreement as he to closed his eyes as he let the strange words wash over him soothingly.

'It must be the voice of a wood sprite for I have heard no elf who could sing as sweet as this.' He commented in wonder. Celahir who had been listening to thier conversation turned on his horse's back and looked at him with a proud grin on his face.

'Nay my friend, 'tis no wood sprite you hear. Although it would suit the maid to be called so for she is a mischief maker of the sort.' He said with an even wider grin. Erestor forced his eyes open and looked over at Celahir in wonder.

'An elf-maid? Might I meet her?' He asked with longing to be heard in his voice. Taurnil laughed and turned back to him.

'You may yet my friend, you may yet.' He said with a grin. Celahir turned back to the front and closed his eyes, tilting his head back and letting his musical voice join the maids in the soothing melody as her voice grew stronger and louder. Erestor turned to see Taurnil copying his brothers actions and singing with the two as well, the melody quickly becoming louder and stronger. All of the sudden it was over and Erestor sighed as his countenance fell.

'Is it over already?' He asked, a dissapointed look alighting on his face. Before either of the brothers could answer, the attention was drawn to the branches above them as a slight rustle alerted them to a presence in the trees. Erestor shifted uncomfortably on his horse as he gazed up, wondering what was above them. He didn't have long to wait as a figure suddenly dropped from the branch and into the arms of Celahir. Erestor immedietly drew his bow and string with an arrow fitted before an eye was blinked. His arm was soon lowered though as he heard laughter coming from Celahir and as he recognized the identity of the elf in question, it was the maid whom had been singing. Celahir slid off his horse and the other two followed suit, walking up to join him by his side. Erestor was immedietly captivated by the maiden who was currently wrapped in the arms of Celahir and Taurnil. Her waist length hair glowed a golden-red in the broken sunlight streaming through the trees, revealing her very femenin form. Soft whisps framed her face, bringing out the color of her milky blue-green eyes and ruby red lips. Shyly stepping forward, he waited for the three to break thier embrace which they shortly did. Celahir took The maidens hand and gently turned her to Erestor.

'Ara, I would like to introduce you to our friend Erestor. Erestor, this is my sister Arafangwen.' Celahir said with a proud grin lighting his smooth face. Erestor stared a moment before reacting.

'A pleasure to meet you.' He said quickly with a smile as he politely took her soft hand and kissed it with a short bow. Arafangwen smiled at him.

Arafangwen curtseyed back, taking the moment to study him. His features were well built. His face a beautiful silver-pale with a firm jawline and full, peach lips. His muscles were perfect, not to bulky, yet defined as most elves were. She finaly looked into his crystal blue eyes and smiled warmly. 'The pleasure is all mine.' She replied softly, her enchanting voice sending a flood of warmth through Erestor as his heart lept at the wonderful words.



Erestor turned his head towards Arafangwen as her voice rang out in the elven lullaby he loved so well.

"I love you." He said simply as she finished her song. Arafangwen gazed back into his crystal blue eyes and smiled warmly.

"I love you too." She replied as she reached over and caressed his cheek softly. Erestor smiled and leaned into her touch, reaching up and capturing her hand in one of his own to keep it against his face.

"Would you consent to be my wife?" He asked her lovingly. Arafangwen laughed softly.

"You've already asked me this." She said with a smile.

"Then why aren't we wed yet?" He asked with anguish in his eyes.

"You know my father, if we want his blessing we follow his plan. And you know I wouldn't wed without his blessing." She replied with a sad smile. Erestor let out a sigh.

"Yes I know. And I'm glad of it, I would not have a wife who would leave her father for me. 'Tis disrespectful." He finished with a nod. Arafangwen smiled and leaned forward until her nose was touching Erestors.

"I know, and I'm glad you feel that way." She said honestly as she pulled closer and kissed him softly, once, twice, and three times more, each with a smile and a sweet passion. She then curled up beside him and nestled her head underneath his chin as he wrapped his arms protectively around her waist and they stayed like that for quite a while, simply enjoying each others presence in the silence of the surrounding nature.

[elberethvarda]

The elf silently slipped from her gray horse and led it to the stable. Once finished, she made her way to the inn. She pulled back her hood momentarily, gazing up at it, then shrouded herself once again. She had no wish to be discovered. She hesitantly pushed open the door and stepped inside. She slipped into a shadowy corner and sat down alone. She fingered the ring on her finger and slipped into her dark dreams.

[Mippin]

At last Ránewen awoke, her wound aching. She rose from her bed and went to the dining hall. Ordering a glass of water, she went to her usual spot.

She sat and thought about all that had happened. How could it be? Ránewen saw her mother's body, laying lifeless. Lifeless, by her father. Yet, neither her nor her brother seemed to hear the soft weeping coming from the lifeless figure...

Ránewen and her brother looked upon the bloody remains of the battlefield. Orcs and goblins felled all around them. But it seemed that in the middle of the field, an aire of sorrow awoke. Seeing their parents laying lifeless, Ránewen held her brother back. Not wanting him to be more hurt than he was. They stayed and looked from the side.

Ránewen looked at her mother, laying, face down on the field. Her hands streaked with blood, and her hair of midnight splayed about her face. A sword was seen at her mother's head. The same sword that Ránewen later recieved.

Not being able to take it anymore, Ránewen bit her lip to keep back the tears, and bid her brother to come along. They left, and went home, to prepare to pack for Rohan.

But when all was cleared, the figure began moving. Afraid of another attack, Ránewen's mother dare not move til nightfall. When the twilight came, she raised up her head and looked upon her husband's dead body. She sobbed over his body, and would not move, until the break of morning, when the remaining soldiers would come to clear up the battlefield.

She fled into the woods, and weaved her way to Mirkwood, where at last she came upon they who once she knew...

They raised the mound over Ránewen's dead father, but never did they find her mother's body. They took her for dead, and raised a mound in her name, but she was not there. A secret Ránewen was never to learn.

Ránewen drained her glass, and decided to go out to the stables to check on her horse. She sat for a while in the hay loft, calling out to Istel. She thought of what she was going to do, how she would go about pursuing her mother's trail.

She had not seen Amarië all day, but she did not go to look for her. Instead, Ránewen decided to try and take the day slowly, and work out what she would do to find her mother, very carefully.

[Amarië]

Amarië went over to greet the newcomer. She took the basket of roses, some had wilted over the days, and it was time to cut some new ones. She walked to the elf.

'Welcome to the Red Rose Inn, I am Amarië, the innkeeper; you can also call upon Lila or Ruby, two hobbit-lasses, if you need anything. Please take this rose as our welcome,' Amarië said with a smile. She handed the elf the rose.

The elf accepted with a 'Thank you' and remained nameless. Amarië walked out to the inn's courtyard. She set the basket down on a bench and sent the petals from the dying roses across the soft grass. The wind blew them far over the courtyard and even further.

Amarië picked up the basket and began getting a few fresh roses. Her mind wandered as she was doing so. The puzzle had been solved, for her at least, but she wondered what of Ránewen. She was wondering when the right time would be to tell her, and how she should say it, and what she should do...

She sat down on a bench, the breeze faint yet comfortable, and tried to sort things out. It came clearer and clearer, although it was still faint.

Amarië knew she would have to tell Ránewen, and she knew how. It all came together now. Ránewen's mother wasn't dead, she was here, and alive.

Amarië zoned out. She knew what happened now... even though she wasn’t there herself...

There was a woman walking, leaving the spot where he husband lay, dead. She wished to give him a proper burial, but feared for her life. The fumes of smoke rose, the scene was foggy and unclear.

Not knowing if she was in any danger, she fled, into Fangorn Forest. She stayed on the edges, not wanting to wander in, but she was drove in.

After a scene with an orc, she followed the black blood left from it back to the edge. It took her days to get back, resting at night unable to see the black blood in the dark. Finally when she did, she saw the plain littered with some remaining bodies, and mounds of burial. The woman fell to her knees. A single tear ran down her face.

She decided to leave the scene and wander to a land where she could live. She wanted to get away from her old life, thinking all her family dead. She asked a man who had remained, scanning the dead bodies for loved ones. She asked him if he knew of her husband, son, or daughter. He knew only of the husband and son, and pointed to two mounds in the middle of the field.

The lady ran to the mounds. She let a few tears slide down her already wet face. She knelt down, muttering words that seemed to make no sense.

She noticed her sword gone from the place her husband had fallen. She thought some scavenger had taken it for himself, and anger arose inside her.

Leaving the scene, she found a stray horse, and rode away. There was an elven face that greeted her, and they rode away together, never to be seen by Ránewen again, until now.


Amarië came back to earth. She noticed a tear on her face. Wiping it away, she knew what she must do. Once more she had to leave, but she felt the one she was after was not to far away. She once knew her better, but in the few years the relationship had faded; she had disappeared.

Amarië went to Ránewen's room. No one was there, and Amarië left and searched the Inn... still no one... she tried the stables and found her.

'Ránewen, I must talk to you. I need to tell you something.'

'Yes.'

'I know where... I know... you must stay here... heal... and don’t try anything... there is hope!'

'But... where what? Amarië?' Ránewen asked, but it was too late, Amarië had left the stables in search of Lila.

In the kitchen, Lila was making up some soup for the nights dinner. 'Lila, I must go. Keep an eye on Ránewen. I do not think she will do anything, but she still seems on edge. Tell Ruby to... I must go know... Namárië!'

Lila stopped chopping the potatoes, still in confussion of what Amarië was onto. She left Lila there in her confussion and went back to the stables. Ránewen was still there.

'Amarië? Are you-'

'Yes, now stay here, heal. You shall see,' Amarië said. Mounting her horse, she lead him out of the stables. Turning towards Ránewen she said, 'Namarië! I shall hope for a quick return!'

She rode away from the inn, her horse galloping to reach its destination quickly, and for the puzzle to be solved for Ránewen.

[elberethvarda]

The elf hesitated and accepted the rose. "Thank you," She said in return to Amarie's greeting. She fingered the rose's withering petals and sniffed them. It reminded her of another rose.......

The soft night wind blew about her face. She silently slipped the saddle onto Ariana's back and hoisted herself onto her gray back. She slipped the Rose into her bridle. Ariana snorted, shaking her head. The elven maid hushed her and set off at a canter, bending low over her neck. She rode into the forest.

Freedom was within her reach.

[Arafangwen]

Arafangwen and Erestor walked arm in arm, into the main room of the Inn. Erestor gently let go of Arafangwen's arm and silently asked her to stay where she was as he went to find them a place to sit. Arafangwen nodded in consent and stood her ground as Erestor walked away and soon dissapeared into the crowd.

Arafangwen took the moment to look around the room, it was so full of people! Letting her eyes roam, she saw to her right there was an older human couple eating a meal. A little past them was a rather nice sized group of youth gathered for a good time. Looking past them towards the corner she caught sight of a beautiful maiden, extremely graceful and soft featured, yet shrouded from the normal eyes view by a cloak of elven make. Arafangwen wondered why she was alone and decided that if she got the chance, she would make aquantiances with the elf later.

Just then Erestor returned and escorted her to a table where they could talk about all that was happening at the moment.

[Firondoiel]

A gentle breeze came through the open window bringing the sweet scent of roses with it. Firondoiel breathed in deeply as she sat infront of the mirror surveying her appearance one more time before slowly rising. Her full strength was still far from returning to her. She silently walked to the door and stepped into the hall. Suddenly, a hand gently grasped her arm. A smile graced her face for she knew who was behind her. "Celahir." she murmured as she turned around to see her beloved smiling back at her. "Hello my love." he said. Then he lifted her hand to his lips. "How fare you?" he asked with concern and love in his eyes.

"I am well," she replied. "But I fear it will be long ere I feel my old self again."

Celahir nodded and appeared to be lost in thought for a moment before offering her his arm. "May I escort you to your breakfast m'lady?" he asked with a playful grin. Firondoiel's laughter rang through the hallway aa took his arm. "Of course my dear sir." With that, the couple happily descended the stairs.

When they entered the dining room they noticed Ara and Erestor sitting at a table. They made their way over to them and Celahir assisted Firondoiel to her seat before taking his own.

"Mara tuilë (Good morning) Firi. How did you rest?" inquired Ara.

"Very well my friend." replied Firondoiel with a smile at the other elven woman.

They cheerfully conversed throughout their meal and long afterward until at last they rose. Arafangwen looked over at the beautiful elf maiden sitting alone and decided to go speak to her. "Do excuse me. I will join you later" she said to her friends before turning and walking towards the elf. Erestor followed her with his eyes for a moment or two before leaving to perform the horrid task of serving breakfast to Haelithion.

Celahir and Firondoiel slowly walked out of the dining room and into the hall towards the stairs when the door to the inn burst open. Both elves turned quickly and saw a frantic General Dûnhísië. Firondoiel's eyes widened, "Ada?" she whispered.

"Firondoiel!" cried her father as he raced towards her and hugged her tightly to him. In her father's arms, Firondoiel's tears rapidly fell. "Oh, my child." he murmured as he held her close. "I've been so worried, ever since Taurnil came and told me..." his voice trailed off as he relived his feelings when he was told his only daughter was dying.

"I am alright now, Ada." said Firondoiel, "I'm here." Her father continued to hold her as if he would never let her go again.

Celahir had discreetly backed up and was going to make a quiet exit when he noticed a tall form in the doorway. He swiftly went past the reunited father and daughter and went to his brother. Taurnil was leaning heavily against the doorframe and looked ready to collapse at any moment. "Taurnil?" said Celahir. His brother weakly grinned, "She lives." he said with obvious joy in his exhausted voice. "Yes." replied Celahir with equal happiness before adding. "But at the moment you look perfectly horrible."

Taurnil rolled his eyes, "You've looked worse older brother." he shot back.

"Nay, you are much mistaken." Celahir returned.

"Indeed I am not. You have rivaled an orc in looks before, brother."

"Well, that is better than how you look now."

"Celahir, do you intend to argue with me over my looks until I am in a heap on the floor?" asked Taurnil.

Celahir smiled and immediately reached out to support Taurnil as he swayed. "Forgive me. Here come with me." #nosmileys#nosmileys

[Amarië]

Amarië walked her stallion into the stables, Nithíniel following, seeming a bit on edge, wanting to see Ránewen.

'It was not your fault,' Amarië said to Nithíniel, 'Neither of you knew.'

'Yes, I know, but it seems there was something... there was something I could have done to stop it,' Nithíniel said, her eyes turning away from Amarië, 'I saw two mounds, not knowing one was meant for me... '

'Indeed, and Ránewen thought that it was your grave,' Amarië said. She lightly turned Nithíniel's head back, facing her. 'But now is not the time to grieve,' she said, smiling, 'For life has been found, and we did not even know. Are you ready?'

'Of course,' Nithíniel said, smiling back.

Amarië lead her out of the stables and through the rose garden to the inn. Ránewen had wandered back into the inn and her room, looking over the letter, and that’s where Amarië found her.

'Ránewen,' Amarië said, sitting next to her on the bed.

'Amarië! It has been less than a day!'

'Well I did not have to wander far.'

'But surely you found something. You must have,' Ránewen said.

Amarië's emerald eyes brightened, and Ránewen saw that and smiled. Amarië took Ránewen's hands and began:

'Your mother... she was not dead when you saw her there; she was just unconscious. But you fled, and she awoke to see her husband dead, so she fled also, into the woods, making her way to Mirkwood, from there she traveled to Rivendell, and stayed with some friends, though she did not know she had family still alive. Then one day an elf-maiden came across her path, and brought her news of her daughter, and how she was alive. Bringing her here, she finally was able to see her once more,' Amarië finished, getting up off the bed. She turned as Nithíniel walked in, and left the two to themselves.

Amarië had found Ránewen's mother, and Ránewen now had a piece of her past, though Amarië did not. Her mother had sailed away into the Undying Lands long ago, leaving her there, with nothing but a memory and a single key to her past. Her father, who had disappeared long ago, also she never knew. Her mother said he had passed away, protecting his people, though she could not recall when or where.

Amarië walked down the hall and behind the bar. Sitting there, her emerald eyes gazed upon the guests, wandering from person to person, and then out of the windows, onto the rows of rosebushes in the backyard. Assorted colours, there were, though mostly red. Lila walked in, and stated, 'M'lady, you have returned. Is there anything I shall get you?'

'No, Lila. Thank you, but I am fine. But if you do not mind and are not busy, starting dinner early for the guests would be something for you to do.'

'Yes'm. I was about to get to that, when I noticed you had returned,' Lila said, excused herself and disappeared into the kitchen.

Amarië wandered out to the stables. There she found her mare, whose wounds were healing well, and the stallion, who seemed calm yet restless. She patted them both and fed them some apples from the back room, and then headed back into the inn.

[Eowyn Skywalker]

A ranger, a wanderer of the North.

The name was justly given, for it suited Seragon, and the people that he was from. No home was theirs to dwell within, danger and darkness haunting their footsteps all so often.

It was by chance alone that he had made it to the Red Rose Inn, alive, and unharmed.

A shadow seemed to follow him; a darkness went with his steps. But chancing the wild lands of Middle-earth was safer than accepting his past, that he would never again see those he loved; those that were close and trusted to him.

Though he was hardened by years of travel in the dark pathes of Middle-earth, and perils followed by his feet, Hanindur still had a heart. Not even a life away from anything that could remind him of those he loved could take away the memory: take the shadows that were within him now.

For years, he had walked in the forests of the world, under the moonlight at times he could be seen: a lone wanderer, hardened by wind and rain gazing up at the stars.

But one could not aviod contact with any humans-- nay, anything living-- whether it be of human, elf, or dwarven kind forever.

Now, Hanindur walked where others were, though for years he had avoided the sight of others, for fear that memories as old as himself would come back. They still lurked in the back of his mind, waiting to surface... and once again torment his heart with memories of his family: even his children.

He had entered into the Red Rose Inn.

And this inn was nothing that he had ever seen before. There was nothing there that would remind him of the shadows he had faced. And still, there was a manner there that brought memories to heart, and the shadow within him grew stronger and darker again.

He took a seat, not knowing what he wanted, whether it be human company again, or just the sight of people who still could live in peace.#nosmileys

[Amarië]

Amarië saw a ranger entering the inn as she was leaving the stables. She could not see his face, for he kept a hood hiding it. From the way he walked, and looked around sharply, Amarië could see as if he had been through some sort of torment.

Amarië looked away. There was a shadow coming in from the north. It had not rained at the Inn since she left. She watched the clouds for a moment; they looked as if they were drawing nearer, but then suddenly turned and went to the east.

Amarië turned back to the ranger, but he had already entered the inn. She turned and made her way into the inn also. Inside, she found the ranger sitting alone at the table. She got a rose from the basket on the counter and handed it to him, 'Welcome to the Red Rose Inn.'

He did not look up.

'May I ask your name? And is there anything I could get for you?'

[Eowyn Skywalker]

Hanindur sat in silence, just thinking. A voice spoke, that of a woman. "May I ask your name? And is there anything I could get for you?" she said, startling him out of his thoughts, and into the past.

He accepted the rose that she held out to him. "I am Hanindur, son of Seragon," he replied softly. "I am a Ranger of the North," he added, though that in itself was obvious.

He was tanned darkly, wind burnt in places. He knew that he must be a sight to see... it had been years since he had been in human, elven, or dwarven company. And those years were dark, he thought sadly. Darker than anything that I dare think of now... those years were worse then anything I have ever faced...

"I thank you for your welcome, Lady..." Hanindur paused. "I am afraid that I do not know your name, milady. And if I could ask for anytihng, it would be news of the world around. It thas been too long for me; I desire to know what goes on in your world."

And just the stress that he put on the phrase 'Your world' indicated some of what he had gone through.

At one time his dark brown eyes may've been fair to behold, but now, all that was in them was shadow, and darkness. He hid his past now from all, and it showed in his dark eyes.

[Amarië]

‘My name is Amarië. I’m innkeeper here. As of news of this world, I do not know much. Mostly just what travelers tell us is all we hear,’ Amarië answered, changing the your to a this, instead of an our, without adding the stress the ranger had used on it before.

The man responded only with a nod, nothing more, it was slow, and he seemed to be thinking of something else. ‘Well, sir, if you’d like a room for the night, there are several open. Or if there is anything you’d like to eat or drink, just ask. If you really want to hear some news, I’m sure some of the other guests may have some they would love to share.’

The ranger looked up, ‘Yes, thank you, milady. I appreciate your welcome.’

Amarië nodded, ‘May I offer you an ale?’ He nodded and looked back down. It wasn’t hard to notice him. Or guess he had been through something hard and lived in the wild for many years. If you ignored the fact that he spoke in common tongue, and with no trouble, you could make the assumption that he had lived in the wild his whole life, and the idea not be considered an extreme one. His eyes were dark, almost black, if not so, hooded by his brow. ‘Yes, please.’

‘Right away,’ Amarië said, walking to the kitchen. She got out a mug and soaked the water drops up that had not dried with a clean cloth. Holding it up under the tap to the barrel, she began to fill the mug. Lira walked in, seeming a bit worried, but said nothing and went to check what was cooking.

‘What is wrong, Lira?’

‘Oh, it’s nothing…’ Lira responded, but after a pause started again, a worried tone in her voice, ‘It’s just that I heard some howling in the distance. And there seems to be a cloud hanging over the inn. Have you not felt it? The skies are dark, and the horses in the stables are restless.’

‘Yes, I did sense something earlier. It may just be another storm,’ Amarië said, putting the hobbit’s worries at ease, or at least for the moment. ‘We should just worry about the guests. Go see if there is anything any of them need when you finish with that.’

‘Yes, ma’am,’ Lira responded, walking out to the main hall.

Amarië took the ale to the man. He had not moved, still looking down at the table. ‘Thank you,’ he responded, grasping the mug by the handle, as if about to take a sip. ‘Yer welcome. If there is anything else you want just ask.’

Amarië left him, hoping he would find comfort there, maybe talk to those in the inn which seemed lonesome. Maybe she would to go speak with him later, she was curious to hear about his past, just by the look of the man.

The night looked as if it might be a hard one. The inn seemed to always have a dark cloud lingering over it. Amarië had walked outside; she had wondered how Ranëwen and her mother were fairing, but decided to leave them to themselves. It looked as if it might rain. There were dark clouds hovering over the inn, and rain seemed near, though she could not see any in the distance. Lira’s ears had indeed not deceived her. Amarië heard howling in the distance, on and off every so often. At first there was no distinction on how what made the howling moved. But after a few minutes, it seemed to draw nearer.

Amarië decided not to worry herself and walked back inside. Taking out her keys, she unlocked the chest in her room, and then placing the keys back in her pocket. Out of it she took a sword, covered in a soft piece of white cloth. It was clean and did not look as if it had seen many fights, though looks can be deceiving. She heard a loud thump outside her room. Quickly Amarië set it back in the chest and slowly closed it shut, leaving it unlocked then walked out of her room to see what it was.

[Marigold Gamgee]

The orc captain smiled e-vilely. Things would go as planned. As of yet, none of the inn's inhabitants had noticed their coming, or so it seemed. Their comrades had recently been slaughtered by a group of men, so this considerably larger band of orcs had come to win back their own. The weather was perfect for the occasion, too. The captain liked a good massacre, and was decidedly looking forward to this. They were to be caught off their guard - they didn't stand a chance. It served those filthy elves right. A self-respecting orc couldn't let it look like elves were the better fighters. It had been too long since they had ravaged this area - so much the better. They would have to make sure to do extra well on this sweep, then. Not one wretch in that despicable building must be left alive. After a sufficient number had been killed, they would burn the place to the ground. It was a well laid-out plan.

The captain called one of his regiment up to him, and conferred briefly. He pointed out points of attack - windows, doors, various weak spots in the structure. The soldier orc moved swiftly back through the ranks and handed out directions; apparently he was some sort of lieutenant. The captain knew that once the battle had started the rabble would break up and it would be each orc for himself, but no matter. His band was skilled enough at raiding and attacks.

Taking a moment to scowl in hatred at the structure of the inn and those inside it, the captain raised his voice to a commanding tone which would carry over the ranks, and shouted the command to attack.

[Amarië]

The inn remained quiet, after the thump. There was soft chatter coming from the right, and to the left, all was silent and dark down the hall, save a little light seeping out of the rooms of those who remained awake.

Only a step out of the door, Amarië turned back and walked inside. She blew out the single candle that lit her room and walked over to the window. The sapphire sky was starless with only a few clouds coming from the south. The night seemed fairly well, until the attention was drawn away from the sky and to the shadows moving across the inn grounds. A dark figure with a torch had circled the inn a few times, examining its entrances and windows.

Amarië quickly ran back to the chest and grabbed her sword. There were suddenly a few thuds around the inn, as if things were being knocked over, in addition to shrieks and screams.

A rock was hurled through Amarië's window. It was soon followed by an orc, which soon was jabbed by her sword. Leaving the dead body on the floor, she fled from her room to see what other havoc was being made in the inn.

It was apparent there was an attack, anyone could have seen that. But what the outcome would be could not be determined yet. Few orcs had made it in the inn. Only about twenty of the whole lot had ventured inside. They were to kill as much as possible, then leave the rest to be burned alive or killed as they ran out of the building to escape the fire.